MET MBA students, Mihir Maheshwari, Manan Bhayani and Kapil Jadhav, visited UNISA (University of South Africa) as part of MUNIJAN (Mumbai University’s New Initiative for Joint Action Now) student exchange programme arranged by University of Mumbai. This educational tour was held from 26th to 31st October, 2013 at Pretoria, South Africa.

The tour started with a welcome speech by Pro- VC, Prof Baijnath and Prof M Phakeng, on their Research and Innovation Department which was followed by a tour of the UNISA campus, where students interacted with other international students and faculty and got an opportunity to see the library, auditorium and classrooms. They also visited the Science campus, Florida of UNISA which was introduced by Prof. G Moche.

Next day, presentations were shared by UNISA students on various topics related to Research and Innovations like, ‘Information and community technology as a learning tool’, ‘From HIV to AIDS: the missing link between the infection and infected’ and ‘Land right and land reforms in Ethiopia’. MET students shared presentations on topics like the future of Mobile Banking in India, Strategy and Society- HUL, etc. It was an exceptional learning curve for the MET delegation. Subsequently, students visited the ‘School of Business Leadership’ where formal introductions and presentations were made on their respective research topics. The same evening, the exchange programme ended with a gala dinner along with Prof Baijnath, Prof M Phakeng, Mrs Kirti Menon and UNISA students.

On the third day, students toured ‘The Union Building’, which was the official seat of the South African government which also house the offices of the President of South Africa, the east and west wings, as well as the twin-domed towers which represent two languages, English and Afrikaans. Students visited the Freedom Park which included a memorial with a list of names of those who were killed in the South African Wars, World War I, World War II as well as Apartheid. With so much to explore, students reached Soweto where Nelson Mandela lived and saw ‘Nelson Mandela House’ amongst other places. This was where the struggle for Independence started. They also visited ‘Nelson Mandela Square’ which is a shopping centre in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Overall, it was a well deserved international academic experience for the sharp minds.